Member of Parliament from Nova Scotia, Chris d’Entremont, decided to resign from the Conservative caucus on Tuesday and announced his move to join the Liberal Party.
In a statement released by the Liberal Party, d’Entremont mentioned that his decision to switch parties came after careful consideration and discussions with his constituents.
He stated, “After much reflection, I have concluded that there is a more promising path ahead for our nation and for Acadie-Annapolis.”
During the recent federal election, d’Entremont narrowly won the rural Nova Scotia riding, securing victory over his Liberal rival by a slim margin.
D’Entremont expressed his support for Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new budget, emphasizing that it aligns with the key priorities voiced by his constituents to bolster community infrastructure and enhance economic growth. This alignment led him to join the government caucus.
A veteran Conservative figure, d’Entremont, who previously served in provincial politics before his federal election victory in 2019, emphasized the need for proactive leadership in addressing Canada’s challenges, criticizing the Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre indirectly for a lack of confidence in the future.
With his imminent move to the Liberal Party, the Liberals are poised to hold 170 seats, just two seats shy of a majority in Parliament.
His departure from the Conservative ranks means the minority Liberal government will require fewer opposition votes to pass the upcoming budget in the House of Commons.
‘Big tent’ Liberals
Mark Gerretsen, the Liberal whip, described the Liberal Party as a diverse coalition with room for those seeking to switch sides, noting that d’Entremont’s departure from the Conservatives reflects a shift towards a more right-wing stance under Poilievre’s leadership.
Gerretsen stated, “The progressive movement within the Conservative Party appears to be fading, while Chris remains aligned with Progressive Conservative values.”
Reacting to d’Entremont’s move, Rob Batherson, a former federal Conservative president from Nova Scotia, expressed feeling deeply betrayed by the MP’s decision, stating it as the most significant personal disappointment in his political career.
Melissa Lantsman, the Deputy Leader for the Conservatives, accused d’Entremont of abandoning his constituents by joining the Liberal Party and failing to address critical issues such as inflation and rising grocery prices.
Conservative MP Aaron Gunn criticized d’Entremont as a “coward,” while MP Dominique Vien expressed surprise and disappointment at his departure.
